Finland is a long narrow country in northern Europe. Tucked between Sweden and Russia, its northernmost territory—about one-third of its area—lies within the Arctic Circle in the Land of the Midnight Sun. This remote region experiences long periods of continuous sunshine in the summer and long periods of darkness in the winter. Finland lies on a flat plateau broken by small hills and valleys. Rich green forests and some 55,000 blue lakes cover most of the countryside. Its nearly 3,000-mile-long coast is girded by colorful gray and red granite and is dotted with thousands of offshore islands. Ruled first by Sweden and later by Russia, Finland became an independent republic in 1917.

What Time Is it in Finland?

Finland is seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. If it’s 10 a.m. in Washington. D.C., then it’s 5 p.m. in Finland.

The People

Most of Finland’s people belong to an ethnic group known as Finns. The Sami are a small ethnic group who live in northern Scandinavia and have their own separate culture and language. Their traditional nomadic way of life is based on herding reindeer. The majority of the country’s people live in towns and cities on the southern coast. Helsinki, Finland’s capital and largest city, is known for its beautiful harbor and modern buildings. Finns appreciate nature and are concerned about the environment.

Doing Business in Finland

If you are planning to do business in Finland, here are a few tips that you might want to know.

Greetings

• The usual greeting for men and women is a handshake. It’s proper to shake hands with women first.
• When in a group, don’t use a person’s first name unless he or she invites you to do so.
• When introducing someone, use both first and last name, or a title and last name.

Gestures

• Folding your arms signifies arrogance.
• It is considered impolite to talk with your hands in your pocket.

Negotiating

• Finns usually begin discussing business right away, without small talk.
• Look people directly in the eye when talking to them.
• Punctuality is expected for both business and social occasions.

Want to know more about Finland?

Visit www.finland.org or www. Britannica.com.